Reinforced bulk container liner

ABSTRACT

A bulk container liner for use in conjunction with bulk material cargo containers comprises a woven reinforcement sheet integrally secured upon a rear wall surface of the bulk container liner for effectively forming a bulkhead structure therewith in order to provide the rear portion of the bulk container liner with enhanced strength and load resistance within the rear door region of the bulk material cargo container. Support ropes, straps, or cables are also operatively connected to upper regions of the bulk container liner so as to facilitate the erection and support of the bulk container liner within the bulk material cargo container, particularly during cargo unloading operations which conventionally comprise the tilting of the bulk material cargo container around the lower rear edge portion thereof. The unloading or discharge port of the bulk container liner also has operative associated therewith structure which variably constricts or expands the diametrical extent thereof so as to permit the unloading or discharge port of the bulk container liner to be universally useable with different bulk material receiver mechanisms.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bulk containers withinwhich fluid-like or flowable cargo materials, such as, for example, drybulk chemicals, powdered and pelletized resins, flour, coffee beans,grain, and the like, are to be housed or contained while being shippedor transported, and more particularly to a new and improved reininforcedbulk container liner, for use in conjunction with such bulk containers,wherein the new and improved reinforced bulk container liner exhibitssubstantially improved or enhanced strength characteristics as well asstructural support features which enable the bulk container liner to befully expanded so as to facilitate the filling of the bulk containerliner, and therefore the bulk container, with a maximum amount of cargomaterial.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Bulk containers are conventionally used, at different times, tohouse or contain different fluid-like or flowable cargo materials, suchas, for example, dry bulk chemicals, powdered and pelletized resins,flour, coffee beans, grains, rice, sugar, and the like, while the cargomaterials are being shipped or transported from one location to anotherby means of, for example, ship, truck, railroad, and the like. Sincedifferent materials are going to be shipped or transported within thecontainers at different times, it is imperative that the containerseffectively be clean so as not to contaminate the materials comprising aparticular cargo load with residual materials which may remain withinthe container from a previously shipped or transported cargo load.

[0003] Accordingly, in order to eliminate the necessary cleaning of eachcargo container hold after a particular cargo material load has beenunloaded or discharged from a particular one of the cargo containerholds, it has become conventional within the industry to employremovable bulk container liners within the cargo holds of the bulkcontainers wherein, after a particular cargo load is delivered to itsdestination and discharged or unloaded, the liner is simply removed fromthe bulk container whereby the bulk container is again useable, withouta significant amount of cleaning, for carrying another cargo load offluid or flowable material. Examples of bulk container liners as usedwithin bulk containers for shipping or transporting fluid or flowablematerials may be found within U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,037 which issued onFeb. 6, 1996 to Stopper, U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,710 which issued on Mar.16, 1993 to Podd, Sr. et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,722 which issuedon Dec. 5, 1989 to Podd.

[0004] While the noted removable liners have obviously performedsatisfactorily from an overall point of view in connection with theachievement of their primary objectives as noted hereinbefore, suchremovable bulk container liner have exhibited several operationaldifficulties. For example, due to the various forces or loads which arenormally impressed upon the liners during, for example, both the cargomaterial loading operation as well as the actual transportation orshipping period, PRIOR ART liners have been subjected to tearing orrupture. In addition, liners usually require the use of a structuralbulkhead between the rear end portion of the liner and the rear end wallof the bulk container which is conventionally formed by means of a pairof pivotal doors such that the internal loads are not transferred to therear doors.

[0005] While removable bulkheads have been employed within conventionalor PRIOR ART bulk containers, such bulkheads have not been deemedsatisfactory in view of the fact that such bulkheads often compriseheavy, wall-like structures which require substantial support in orderto withstand the loads inherent within the system. In addition, suchbulkheads add a significant amount of weight to the cargo load and donot enable the viewing of the interior of the liner and bulk containerwhereby, for example, monitoring of the inflation of the bulk containerliner and the charging of the bulk materials into the bulk containerliner is not able to be readily achieved. Still further, while theliners may be effectively erected within the bulk containers throughmeans of known inflation techniques, such inflation techniques per se,that is, by themselves, have not proven to be sufficient for achievingthe complete inflation or expansion of the liners so as to permit themaximum amount of the fluid or flowable materials to in fact be loaded,deposited, and accommodated within the liners and the bulk containers.Lastly, the conventional or PRIOR ART bulk containers, and the bulkcontainer liners incorporated therein, are often required to dischargetheir cargo loads at their destination points into receiver mechanismswhich may vary in size, however, such conventional or PRIOR ART bulkcontainers, and the bulk container liners incorporated therein, are notreadily adaptable for use in connection with different sized receivermechanisms.

[0006] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved bulkcontainer liner which will be capable of providing enhanced tear orrupture resistance, particularly under inflation and cargo load forces,which will be capable of facilitating the inflation, expansion, anderection of the bulk container liner within the bulk container so as toin turn facilitate the filling of the bulk container liner, with apredetermined cargo load or bulk material, to its maximum extent, whichwill be capable of effectively providing a substantially rigid orsemi-rigid bulkhead structure which is integrally incorporated withinthe existing bulk container liner structure so as to effectively preventextensive bulging of the bulk container liner and the impression of theinflation and cargo load forces upon the rear doors of the bulkcontainer, and which is capable of being diametrically adjustable so asto be capable of being used in conjunction with different cargo loadreceiver mechanisms having different diametrical extents or dimensionswhereby the cargo loads from the particular bulk container cannevertheless be expeditiously unloaded or discharged.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea new and improved bulk container liner for use within bulk containersto be filled with bulk material cargo loads.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved bulk container liner, for use within bulk containers to befilled with bulk material cargo loads, which effectively overcomes thevarious structural and operational drawbacks and disadvantagescharacteristic of PRIOR ART bulk container liners.

[0009] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved bulk container liner for use within bulk containers to befilled with bulk material cargo loads wherein the new and improved bulkcontainer liner has structural adjuncts operatively connected thereto soas to facilitate and ensure the properly desired inflation, expansion,and erection of the bulk container liner within the bulk container so asto in turn facilitate and ensure the proper and desired filling of thebulk container liner, with a predetermined bulk material cargo load, toits maximum extent.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved bulk container liner for use within bulk containers to befilled with bulk material cargo loads wherein the new and improved bulkcontainer liner is structurally reinforced by means of a substantiallyrigid or semi-rigid bulkhead structure which is suitably attached to orincorporated within the rear surface portion of the bulk container linerso as to exhibit enhanced strength and tear or rupture resistance,particularly in connection with, but not limited to, the vicinity of,the loading, discharging, and venting ports, and in addition, whicheffectively prevents the cargo load and inflation forces from beingunduly transmitted to or impressed upon the rear doors of the bulkcontainer whereby such integrally incorporated bulkhead structurethereby exhibits the positive attributes of removable bulkheads withoutthe aforenoted negative characteristics of such removable bulheads.

[0011] A last object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved bulk container liner for use within bulk containers to befilled with bulk material cargo loads wherein the new and improved bulkcontainer liner is provided with diametrically adjustable discharge portstructure which effectively enables the bulk container liner of thepresent invention to be used in connection with the unloading ordischarge of cargo loads into, or in connection with, receiverstructures or mechanisms which may have different diametrical extents ordimensions whereby the cargo loads can in fact be expeditiously unloadedor discharged from the bulk container within which the new and improvedbulk container liner of the present invention is being employed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordancewith the teachings and principles of the present invention through theprovision of a new and improved bulk container liner which, inaccordance with a first major or primary unique and novel featurethereof, comprises a reinforcing semi-rigid bulkhead, formed from wovenpolypropylene or woven polyethylene, which is secured to the rearsurface of the bulk container liner so as to effectively reinforce therear surface of the bulk container liner against tearing and rupturethereof, and more particularly, to effectively withstand the interiorinflation and cargo load forces so as to thereby, in turn, effectivelyprevent the over-expansion or bulging of the bulk container linerwhereby such inflation and cargo load forces would otherwise betransmitted to the rear doors of the bulk container. In addition to theprovision or integral incorporation of the reinforcing bulkheadstructure upon or within the rear surface portion of the bulk containerliner, the discharge port of the bulk container liner has structureintegrally incorporated therein which permits the discharge port to bevaried in its diametrical extent. In this manner, the diametrical extentof the discharge port can effectively be predeterminedly varied in orderto permit the discharge port to be used in conjunction with differentreceiver structures or mechanisms, which may have different diametricalextents or dimensions, where by the bulk material cargo load can bedischarged or unloaded without inordinate forces or pressures beingplaced upon the discharge port and the bulk container liner during aparticular bulk material unloading or discharging operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of thepresent invention will be more fully appreciated from the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters designate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new and improved bulk containerliner which is constructed in accordance with the teachings andprinciples of the present invention and which shows the cooperativeparts thereof such that the new and improved bulk container liner of thepresent invention can be effectively utilized within bulk containers forholding and transporting bulk materials; and

[0015]15FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a new and improved dischargeport which is integrally incorporated in conjunction with the new andimproved bulk container liner illustrated within FIG. 1 and which isalso constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of thepresent invention so as to have an adjustable or variable diametricalextent or dimension whereby the variably or adjustably sized dischargeport can be readily and easily utilized in a substantially universalmanner in conjunction with different bulk material receiverscharacterized by different diametrical extents or dimensions so as toreadily and easily facilitate the unloading or discharge of the bulkmaterials from the bulk container regardless of the diametrical size ofthe bulk material receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1thereof, a new and improved bulk container liner, which is constructedin accordance with the teachings and principles of the present inventionand which shows the cooperative parts thereof such that the new andimproved bulk container liner of the present invention can beeffectively utilized within bulk containers for holding and transportingbulk materials, is illustrated and is generally indicated by thereference character 10. As can be readily appreciated, the new andimproved bulk container liner 10 of the present invention is fabricatedfrom a suitable material, such as, for example, extruded polyethylene,and has a geometrical configuration which substantially comprises thatof a rectangular parallelepiped. Accordingly, the bulk con tamer liner10 is seen to include, as viewed in FIG. 1, a front or forward surface12, a left side surface 14, an upper or top surface 16, a right sidesurface 18, a lower or bottom surface 20, and a back or rear surface 22.More particularly, the bulk container liner 10 has a width dimension Wof ninety-two inches (92″) or approximately eight feet (8.00′), a lengthdimension L of two hundred thirty-two t inches or approximately nineteenand one-third feet (19.33′), and a height dimension H of ninety-fourinches (94″) or approximately eight feet (8.00′). In order to load thebulk container liner 10 with bulk material, the bulk container liner 10is provided with a loading port or sleeve member 24 which is locatedupon or along a longitudinally extending central plane of the bulkcontainer liner 10, and in order to unload the bulk material from thebulk container liner 10, the bulk container liner 10 is provided with adischarge port or sleeve member 26 which is likewise located upon oralong the longitudinally extending central plane of the bulk containerliner 10 at an elevational level which is beneath that of the loadingport or sleeve member 24. As is conventional in the art, and as has beenpreviously disclosed, for example, within the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No.5,489,037 which issued to Stopper on Feb. 6, 1996, the lower rear cornerregions of the bulk container liner 10 are provided with corner bagstructures 28 for facilitating or expediting the discharge of the bulkmaterials from such lower rear corner regions of the bulk containerliner 10 when the bulk material contained within the bulk containerliner 10 is to be unloaded from the bulk container line 10. Each one ofthe corner bag structures 28 comprises an inflatable and deflatablestructure and is therefore accordingly provided with a tube member 30 bymeans of which the corner bag structures 28 may be respectively inflatedand deflated when such tube members 30 are fluidically connected tosuitable inflation and deflation equipment, not shown. When the cornerbag structures 28 are inflated, it is noted further that each one of thecorner bag structures 28 will have a substantially pyramidal geometricalconfiguration such that interior, inclined surface portions of suchinflated corner bag structures 28 will cause the bulk material containedwithin the bulk container liner 10 to effectively move toward thedischarge port 26.

[0017] In order to ensure that the bulk container 10 is fully,completely, and properly inflated and erected by a suitable means, whichis not shown but which is disclosed within the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No.5,489,037 which issued to Stopper on Feb. 6, 1996, and in order tofurther ensure that the bulk container liner 10 is maintained in suchinflated or erected condition or state in preparation for and during abulk material cargo load loading operation, during the housing andtransportation of the bulk material cargo load which has been loadedinto the bulk container liner 10, and particularly during a bulkmaterial cargo load discharging or unloading operation, the bulkcontainer liner 10 of the present invention has been provided withadditional novel and unique structural components. More particularly, itis noted that a first tubular sleeve member 32, which may be fabricatedfrom a suitable fabric or other material, is fixedly secured to the rearsurface portion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 by suitable means,such as, for example, by being stitched or sewn thereto. The firsttubular member 32 extends transversely with respect to the longitudinalextent of the bulk container liner 10 and is disposed at an elevationallevel which is immediately below that of the loading port or sleevemember 24. The tubular sleeve member 32 is adapted to have a steel baror beam member, which is not shown but which comprises a structuralmember or component of the bulk container, inserted therethrough.

[0018] In addition, a second tubular sleeve member 34 is fixedly securedwithin the vicinity of the lower rear edge or corner region of the bulkcontainer liner 10 as defined at the intersection of the rear surfaceportion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 and the lower or bottomsurface portion 20 of the bulk container liner 10. Nailing straps, notshown, are adapted to be passed through the second tubular sleeve member34 and fixedly secured to the floor section of the bulk container so asto in turn fixedly secure the lower rear portion of the bulk containerliner 10 to the floor section of the bulk container.

[0019] Still further, in order to similarly secure or fixedly supportthe upper portion of the rear surface 22 of the bulk container liner 101which extends upwardly from the elevational level at which the firsttubular sleeve member 32 and the steel bar or beam member are disposed,so as to thereby facilitate the proper and full erection of the bulkcontainer liner 10, as well as to properly dispose and support suchupper portion of the rear surface 22 of the bulk container liner 10during a bulk material discharge or unloading procedure, and stillfurther in order to properly dispose and support the bulk materialloading port or sleeve member 24 in conjunction with a bulk materialloading operation, a pair of ropes, straps, cables, or the like 36 arefixedly secured at first ends thereof to the bulk container liner 10within the vicinity of the upper rear edge or corner region defined atthe intersection of the rear surface portion 22 of the bulk containerliner 10 and the upper or top surface portion 16 of the bulk containerliner 10. In this manner, when the other or second opposite ends of thesupport ropes, straps, or cables 36 are fixed to appropriate structureof the bulk container, the upper portion of the rear surface 22 of thebulk container liner 10 which extends upwardly from the elevationallevel at which the first tubular sleeve member 32 and the steel bar orbeam member are disposed, can be effectively stretched tight or taut.

[0020] In accordance with another unique structural featurecharacteristic of the new and improved bulk container liner 10constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of thepresent invention, the entire rear surface portion 22 of the bulkcontainer liner 10 is reinforced by means of a sheet of wovenpolypropylene, or woven polyethylene, 38 which is secured or affixed tothe rear surface portion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 by suitablemeans, such as, for example, two-sided adhesive tape or the like whichis disposed upon interior surface portions of the woven reinforcementsheet 38 which correspond to the peripheral edge portions of the rearsurface portion 22 of the bulk container liner 10. The wovenreinforcement sheet 38 therefore effectively structurally cooperateswith the underlying rear surface portion 22 of the bulk container liner10 so as to effectively define a substantially semi-rigid bulkheadstructure for the rear surface portion 22 of the bulk container liner10.

[0021] Consequently, as can readily be appreciated from FIG. 1, when thesteel bar or beam member, not shown, is inserted through the firsttubular sleeve member 32 and fixed in position within the bulkcontainer, when the nailing strips are inserted through the secondtubular sleeve member 34 and are likewise fixed to the floor section ofthe bulk container, and when the second ends of the ropes or straps 36are fixed to the bulk container, the bulkhead structure 38, comprisingthe reinforced rear wall surface portion 22, is effectively secured orfixed within the bulk container. Accordingly, such bulkhead structure 38effectively presents or defines a reinforced, rigidified wall structurefor the bulk container liner 10 which not only advantageously serves orpromotes several functional objectives with respect to or for the bulkcontainer liner 10 per se, but in addition, serves or promotesadditional functional objectives with respect to or in conjunction withthe rear door members of the bulk container, not shown.

[0022] More particularly, such reinforced, rigidified rear wall surfacestructure 38 serves to, in part, properly j maintain the rear surfaceportion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 in its inflated and erectedstate or condition, the reinforced, rigidified rear wall surfacestructure 38 also enables or facilitates the proper disposition of thebulk material loading port or sleeve member 24 in connection with a bulkmaterial cargo loading operation or procedure, and the reinforced,rigidified rear wall surface structure 38 also enables or facilitatesthe proper disposition of the bulk material unloading or discharge portor sleeve member 26 in connection with a bulk material cargo unloadingoperation or procedure. In addition, and just as or even moreimportantly, the rigidified rear wall surface structure 38 serves toreinforce the rear end portion of the bulk container liner 10, and inconjunction therewith, to uniformly withstand and distribute the cargoload forces and stresses, whereby such load forces and stresses are notconveyed to or impressed upon the rear doors of the bulk container, notshown. Still further, the rigidified rear wall surface structure 38serves to reinforce the rear end portion of the bulk container liner 10,and in conjunction therewith, to uniformly withstand and distribute thecargo load forces and stresses, particularly those attendant a bulkmaterial cargo unloading or discharge operation or procedure whichconventionally comprises the tilting of the cargo bulk container aroundthe lower rear edge portion of the bulk container. As can be appreciatedfrom FIG. 1, the woven reinforcement sheet 38 is applied over the entireexpanse of the rear surface or wall section 22 and the first tubularsleeve member 32 is affixed upon the exterior surface of the reinforcedbulkhead structure 38 such that load forces and stresses are properlydistributed and accommodated.

[0023] It is to be further appreciated that when the woven reinforcementsheet 38 is applied or adhered to the rear surface 22 of the bulkcontainer liner 10, it necessarily extends beyond the peripheral edgeregions of the rear surface 22 of the bulk container liner 10. There areseveral reasons for incorporating such structure into the the new andimproved bulk container liner 10 of the present invention in thisparticular integrated manner. Firstly, it is to be appreciated that allof the wall sections of the bulk container liner 10, other than the rearsurface wall section 22, that is, the front or forward surface or wallsection 12, the left side surface or wall section 14, the upper or topsurface or wall section 16, the right side surface or wall section 18,and the lower or bottom surface or wall section 20, are effectivelycontinuously supported by the respective wall sections of the bulkcontainer when the bulk container liner 10 is installed within the bulkcontainer, inflated to its erected state, and loaded with the bulkmaterial cargo. The rear surface wall section 22 of the bulk containerliner 10, however, is not similarly supported by a corresponding wallsection of the bulk container because the rear wall section of the bulkcontainer is provided with the openable and closable rear access doors.Consequently, the rear surface or wall section 22 of the bulk containerliner 10 must effectively independently self-support, or self-resist,the various load forces and stresses impressed thereon. This state orcondition is also true of the sealed regions defined between each one ofthe peripheral edges of the rear surface or wall section 22 and thecorresponding rear edge regions of the left side surface or wall section14, the upper or top surface or wall section 16, the right side surfaceor wall section 18, and the lower or bottom surface or wall section 20.

[0024] Accordingly, not only does the woven sheet 38 providereinforcement to the rear surface or wall portion 22 of the bulkcontainer liner 10, but in addition, and secondarily, the extension ofthe woven reinforcement sheet 38 onto the left side surface or wallsection 14, the upper or top surface or wall section 16, the right sidesurface or wall section 18, and the lower or bottom surface or wallsection 20, effectively forms reinforcement regions 40,42,44,46 upon theleft side surface or wall section 14, the upper or top surface or wallsection 16, the right side surface or wall section 18, and the lower orbottom surface or wall section 20, respectively, so as to integrallyreinforce the aforenoted sealed peripheral edge regions defined betweeneach one of the peripheral edges of the rear surface or wall section 22and the corresponding rear edge regions of the left side surface or wallsection 14, the upper or top surface or wall section 16, the right sidesurface or wall section 18, and the lower or bottom surface or wallsection 20. Thirdly, it is also noted that the woven reinforcementregion 42 secured or attached to the rear portion of the upper surfaceor wall section 16 of the bulk container liner 10 has an axial extent orlength which is somewhat greater than those of the other wovenreinforcement regions 40,44,46, and the reason for this is that when,for example, the bulk container liner 10 is being loaded or charged withpowder-type bulk material cargo through means of the loading port orsleeve 41 member 24, dust collector equipment, not shown, is fluidicallyconnected to vent port structure 48 which is also formed or integrallyincorporated within the rear surface or wall section 22 of the bulkcontainer liner 10. A closed-loop or recirculation flow path is thuseffectively operatively or fluidically created in conjunction with theinterior of the bulk container liner 10, particularly within the upperrear region thereof, thereby requiring additional or extendedreinforcement in order to withstand or accommodate the additional loadforces, pressure, and stresses attendant the powder bulk materialloading and dust collection procedures.

[0025] In conjunction with the free end portion of the upper surfacewoven reinforcement region 42, there is provided a transversely orientedsupport strip 50 which is fixedly attached thereto by any suitablemeans, such as, for example, by sewing or stitching, and opposite endsof the support strip 50 are provided with grommets 52 through whichfirst end portions of suitable support ropes, straps, or cables 54 arepassed, the opposite or second end portions thereof being connected tosuitable structure comprising the bulk container. It is to be noted thatwhile the upper surface woven reinforcement region 42 appears from theillustrated drawing to extend axially forwardly so as to have an axialextent of approximately one-half the axial extent or length of the bulkcontainer liner 10, the illustrated drawing is not in fact to scale andin reality the axial extent of the upper surface woven reinforcementregion 42 comprises only a small fractional portion of the overall axialextent or length of the bulk container liner 10. Accordingly, it is tobe appreciated and understood further that the support ropes, cables, orstraps 54 operatively cooperate with the support ropes, straps, orcables 36 for fixing and supporting the entire rear region or portion ofthe bulk container liner 10 within the bulk container.

[0026] In a similar manner, it is likewise noted further that in orderto facilitate the proper inflation, erection, and support of the bulkcontainer liner 10 in its inflated and erected state, particularly inconnection with the axially central upper region of the bulk containerliner 10, first ends of additional support ropes, straps, or cables 56are fixedly attached to upper, axially central portions of each one ofthe left and right side surfaces 14,18 of the bulk container line 10 bymeans of suitable fixtures 58, and the second opposite ends of thesupport ropes, straps, or cables 56 are adapted to be fixedly connectedto the bulk container. Still yet further, in order to facilitate theproper inflation, erection, and support of the bulk container liner 10in its inflated and erected state, particularly in connection with theupper forwardmost region of the bulk container liner 10, similar supportrope, cable, or strap means are likewise utilized. The reason for thisis that it is to be remembered that the bulk container liner 10 isinflated as a result of a suitable source of pressurized or compressedair, not shown, being fluidically connected to the interior portion ofthe bulk container liner 10 through means of, for example, the loadingport or sleeve structure 24 provided within or upon the rear surfaceportion 22 of the bulk container liner 10. It can therefore beappreciated that the forwardmost region of the bulk container liner 10is located furthest from the rear wall surface 22 of the bulk containerliner 10 and, in turn, furthest from the source of pressurized orcompressed air fluidically connected to the loading port or sleevestructure 24. The lower forwardmost region of the bulk container liner10 normally does not present any problems with inflation and erectionbecause gravitational and bulk material loads will serve to erect andexpand the lower forwardmost region of the bulk container liner 10 intocontact with the forward interior wall structures of the bulk container.However, such gravitational and bulk material loads are obviously unableto similarly erect and expand the upper forwardmost region of the bulkcontainer liner 10.

[0027] Accordingly, it sometimes conventionally occurs that such upperforwardmost region of the bulk container liner is not in fact fullyinflated, erected, and expanded into contact engagement with theinterior wall portions of the bulk container whereby such region of thebulk container liner is not adequately supported by the interior wallportions of the bulk container. As a result of such a state orcondition, internal pressure forces present within the bulk containerliner can lead to tearing and rupture problems with a consequentcompromise in the integrity of the seal located at the intersectiondefined between the upper edge portion of the front or forward surfaceportion 12 of the bulk container liner 10 and the rear edge portion ofthe upper or top surface portion 16 of the bulk container liner 10, aswell as with respect to the seals located at the rear corner regions ofthe bulk container line 10 as defined between the upper horizontallydisposed rear edge portion of each one of the left and right sidesurface portions 14,18 of the bulk container liner 10 and oppositeaxially oriented rear side edge portions of the upper or top surfaceportion 16 of the bulk container liner 10, and as defined between theupper vertically oriented rear edge portion of each one of the left andright side surface portions 14,18 of the bulk container liner 10 andopposite vertically oriented side edge portions of the front or forwardsurface portion 12 of the bulk container liner 10.

[0028] In accordance with the principles and teachings of the presentinvention, the upper front region of the bulk container liner 10 isreinforced with woven reinforcement material which is similar to thewoven reinforcement sheet 38 secured or adhered to the rear surfaceportion 22 of the bulk container liner. More particularly, a first wovenreinforcement strip 60 is secured at the intersection defined betweenthe upper edge portion of the front or forward surface portion 12 of thebulk container liner 10 and the rear edge portion of the upper or topsurface portion 16 of the bulk container liner 10 such that the wovenreinforcement strip 60 encompasses or overlaps such upper edge or cornerregion of the bulk container liner 10 and extends onto and is securedupon both the front or forward surface portion 12 of the bulk containerliner 10 and the rear edge portion of the upper or top surface portion16 of the bulk container liner 10. In this manner, the seal regiondefined between the front or forward surface portion 12 of the bulkcontainer liner 10 and the upper or top surface portion 16 of the bulkcontainer liner 10 is fully reinforced. In addition, second and thirdwoven reinforcement strips 62 and 64, which may actually be integralextensions of the first woven reinforcement strip 60, are similarlyprovided at the upper rear corner regions of the bulk container liner 10as defined between each one of the side surface portions 14,18 of thebulk container liner 10 and the upper or top surface portion 16 of thebulk container liner 10, as well as between each one of the side surfaceportions 14,18 of the bulk container liner 10 and the front or forwardsurface portion 12 of the bulk container liner 10. Each one of thesecond and third woven reinforcement strips 62,64 has a substantiallyL-shaped configuration wherein second woven reinforcement strip 62comprises a horizontally disposed leg member 66 and a verticallydisposed leg member 68, while third woven reinforcement strip 64comprises a horizontally disposed leg member 70 and a verticallydisposed leg member 72.

[0029] It can therefore be appreciated that horizontally disposed legmember 66 of second woven reinforcement strip 62 encompasses or overlapsthe upper rear edge or corner region of the bulk container liner 10, asdefined between the left side surface portion 14 of the bulk container10 and the upper or top surface portion 16 of the bulk container 10, andextends onto and is secured upon both the left side surface portion 14of the bulk container 10 and the upper or top surface portion 16 of thebulk container 10 so as to reinforce the sealed upper rear edge orcorner region defined therebetween. In a similar manner, horizontallydisposed leg member 70 of third woven reinforcement strip 64 encompassesor overlaps the upper rear edge or corner region of the bulk containerliner 10, as defined between the right side surface portion 18 of thebulk container 10 and the upper or top surface portion 16 of the bulkcontainer 10, and extends onto and is secured upon both the right sidesurface portion 18 of the bulk container 10 and the upper or top surfaceportion 16 of the bulk container 10 so as to reinforce the sealed upperrear edge or corner region defined therebetween.

[0030] In a like manner, it is appreciated that vertically disposed legmember 68 of second woven reinforcement strip 62 encompasses or overlapsthe upper rear edge or corner region of the bulk container liner 10, asdefined between the left side surface portion 14 of the bulk container10 and the front or forward surface portion 12 of the bulk container 10,and extends onto and is secured upon both the left side surface portion14 of the bulk container 10 and the front or forward surface portion 12of the bulk container 10 so as to reinforce the sealed upper rear edgeor corner region defined therebetween. Still further, verticallydisposed leg member 72 of third woven reinforcement strip 64 encompassesor overlaps the upper rear edge or corner region of the bulk containerliner 10, as defined between the right side surface portion 18 of thebulk container 10 and the front or forward surface portion 12 of thebulk container 10, and extends onto and is secured upon both the rightside surface portion 18 of the bulk container 10 and the front orforward surface portion 12 of the bulk container 10 so as to reinforcethe sealed upper rear edge or corner region defined therebetween.

[0031] In conjunction with the second and third woven reinforcementstrips 62,64, a pair of support ropes, straps, or cables 74,76 arerespectively provided whereupon, when first ends of the ropes, straps,or cables 74,76 are respectively fixedly secured to the reinforcementstrips 62, 64, and second ends of the support ropes, straps, or cables74,76 are fixedly secured to suitable structure integrally incorporatedupon the bulk container, the upper front or forwardmost regions of thebulk container liner 10 will be adequately supported so as to in factfacilitate the aforenoted inflation, erection, and expansion of the bulkcontainer liner 10 in preparation for a bulk material cargo loadingoperation. In addition, it is further noted that the support ropes,straps, or cables 74,76 serve the additionally important function ofmaintaining the upper forwardmost region of the bulk container liner 10suitably fixed in position during bulk material cargo unloadingoperations, particularly in view of the aforenoted conventional tiltingof the bulk container around the lower rear edge portion thereof. Inorder to in fact secure the first ends of the support ropes, straps, orcables 74,76 to the woven reinforcement strips 62,64, it is further seenthat each one of the vertically oriented leg members 68,72 of thereinforcement strips 62,64 is respectively provided with a verticallyextending serial array of apertures 78,80 within which suitable grommetsare adapted to be disposed. Snap-hook fasteners, fixed upon the firstend portions of the support ropes, straps, or cables 74,76, are adaptedto be engaged within the apertures 78,80, the provision of the pluralityof apertures 78,80 serving to accommodate different structuralconnections inherent to or characteristic of different bulk containers.

[0032] Further in conjunction with the critically important fixation ofthe lower forwardmost region of the bulk material container 10,particularly during the bulk material cargo unloading operation wherebyit is again noted that the bulk container is conventionally tilted,tipped, inclined, or pivoted around the lower rear edge portion thereof,it is seen still further that the lower or bottom surface portion 20 ofthe bulk container liner 10 is provided with a third tubular sleevemember 82, which is similar in structure to the first tubular sleevemember 32, fixedly attached thereto within the vicinity of the front orforward surface portion 12 of the bulk container liner 10 by suitablemeans, such as, for example, sewing or stitching. The third tubularsleeve member 82 is likewise adapted to have a steel bar or beam member,not shown but which is integrally or fixedly connected to or operativelyassociated with the floor structure of the bulk container, passedtherethrough so as to fixedly secure the lower or bottom and frontregions of the bulk container liner 10 to the floor structure of thebulk container. In conjunction with such tubular sleeve member 82, andthe steel beam or bar member adapted to be passed therethrough inconnection with securing the lower or bottom and front regions of thebulk container liner 10 to the floor structure of the bulk container,the rear region of the lower or bottom surface portion or wall section20 of the bulk container liner 10 is adapted to be reinforced by meansof a woven reinforcement sheet 84 which has its upper or interiorsurface adhesively bonded or otherwise fixedly secured to the lower orexterior face of the lower or bottom surface or wall section 20 of thebulk container liner 10. As was the case with the reinforcement sheet 38secured upon the rear surface or wall section 22 of the bulk containerliner 10, the woven reinforcement sheet 84 is applied over the entirerear region of the lower or bottom surface or wall section 22 of thebulk container liner 10 and the third tubular sleeve member 82 isaffixed upon the exterior surface of the woven reinforcement sheet 84such that load forces and stresses are properly distributed andaccommodated.

[0033] With reference continuing to be made to FIG. 1, it is seen thatthe loading port or sleeve member 24, the discharge or unloading port orsleeve member 26, and the vent port or sleeve member 48 are alsorespectively provided with woven reinforcement sheets 86,88,90 which aresuitably secured or attached to the loading port or sleeve member 24,the discharge or unloading port or sleeve member 26, and the vent portor sleeve member 48 so as to respectively circumferentially envelop theloading port or sleeve member 24, the discharge or unloading port orsleeve member 26, and the vent port or sleeve member 48. In this manner,the woven reinforcement sheets 86,88,90 reinforce and support the loadmg port or sleeve member 24, the discharge or unloading port or sleevemember 26, and the vent port or sleeve member 48 when the loading portor sleeve member 24,the discharge or unloading port or sleeve member 26,and vent port or sleeve member 48 are moved to their axially extendedpositions for respective use in conjunction with a bulk material loadingoperation, a bulk material unloading operation, and a venting operation.In order to in fact be able to respectively move each one of the loadingport or sleeve member 24, the discharge or unloading port or sleevemember 26, and the vent port or sleeve member 48 from its axiallyrecessed or collapsed position to its axially extended or expandedposition, each one of the loading port or sleeve member 24, thedischarge or unloading port or sleeve member 26, and the vent port orsleeve member 48 is respectively provided with a rope, strap, or cable92,94,96 which may be suitably secured to an inner peripheral wallportion of each port or sleeve member 24,26,48. In order to view ordetermine the height of or depth to which the bulk material has beenloaded into the bulk container liner 10, a view port 98 extends 3through or is effectively cut out from the reinforcement sheet 38 and isincorporated within the rear surface portion or wall section 22 of thebulk container liner 10.

[0034] In accordance with a last unique and novel structural featurecharacteristic of the present invention, and as be best appreciated as aresult of additional reference being made to FIG. 2, the bulk materialunloading or discharge port or sleeve member 26 of the bulk containerliner 10 of the present invention has operatively associated therewithstructure or means for adjustably varying the diametrical extent of thebulk material unloading or discharge port or sleeve member 26 such thatthe bulk material unloading or discharge port or sleeve member 26 iseffectively universally useable with different bulk material unloadingreceiver mechanisms having different diametrical extents. Moreparticularly, then, it is seen from FIG. 2 that in accordance with theprinciples and teachings of the present invention, a substantiallysquare-shaped portion 100 of the woven reinforcement sheet 38, which isdisposed within the vicinity of or immediately surrounds the dischargeport or sleeve member 26, is cut or severed along both diagonal loci 102thereof so as to effectively define four, triangularly shaped flapmembers 104. The axially central apex portion 106 of each flap member104 is folded backwardly upon and is adapted to be fixedly secured toitself, as at 108 by any suitable means, such as, for example, adhesivemeans, sewing, stitching, and the like, such that an axially open region110 is defined within the woven reinforcement sheet 38 through which thedischarge sleeve or port member 26 of the bulk container liner 10 can beextended.

[0035] In addition, as a result of the aforenoted backward folding ofthe apex portions 106 of the flap members 104, an open loop region 112is effectively defined internally within each one of such folded regionsof the flap members 104 such that a rope, strap, or cable member 114 canbe serially threaded through the plurality of open loop regions 112 soas to define an enveloping or encircling rope, strap, or cable noose116. In this manner, when the opposite free ends 118 of the rope, strap,or cable noose 116 are both pulled together in the direction C of thedouble arrowhead O-C, the diametrical extent of the rope, strap, orcable noose 116 will be constricted so as to effectively tend tocorrespondingly adjustably or variably close or constrict thediametrical extent of the axially open region 110, while conversely,when the free ends 118 of the rope, strap, or cable noose 116 arepermitted to move in the direction O of the double arrowhead O-C, thediametrical extent of the rope, strap, or cable noose 116 will beexpanded so as to effectively tend to correspondingly adjustably orvariably open or expand the diametrical extent of the axially openregion 110. In order to ensure that the axially open region 110 iseffectively closed during those periods when the bulk material dischargeport 26 is axially retracted or collapsed and is not being used inconjunction with the performance of a bulk material discharge orunloading operation, it is seen further that a woven reinforcement flapmember 120 is secured along a linear locus 122 to the rear wall surfaceportion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 by means of, for example,sewing, stitching, or the like.

[0036] In particular, the flap member 120 is illustrated within FIG. 2as being in a raised position, however, this is simply for clarity inconnection with the same. In reality, the flap member 120, after beingsecured along the linear locus 122 to the rear wall surface portion 22of the bulk container liner 10, is disposed in a vertical orientedhanging mode so as to be interposed between the rear wall surfaceportion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 and the square-shaped portionor region 100 of the woven reinforcement sheet 38. Therefore, when thebulk material discharge port 26 is axially retracted or collapsed and isnot being used in conjunction with the performance of a bulk materialdischarge or unloading operation, the flap member 120 effectively coversand closes off the axially open region 110, however, when the bulkmaterial discharge port 26 is to be axially extended so as to be used inconjunction with the performance of a bulk material discharge orunloading operation, since the flap member 120 is only secured to therear surface wall portion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 along thelinear locus 122 so as to effectively freely hang in a suspension modebetween between the rear wall surface portion 22 of the bulk containerliner 10 and the square-shaped portion or region 100 of the wovenreinforcement sheet 38, the flap member 120 can be grasped by means ofan operator and pulled axially through the axially open region 110 to asto effectively uncover and open the axially open region 110. Thereafter,the discharge or unloading port or sleeve member 26 can be axiallyextended through the axially open region 110 so as to be readilyaccessible for fluidic connection to the bulk material receivermechanism.

[0037] In conjunction with such fluidic connection, the rope, strap, orcable noose 116 can also be diametrically adjusted so as to variablyadjust the diametrical extent of the axially open region 110 so as to inturn variably adjust the diametrical extent of the unloading ordischarge port of sleeve member 26 to match the diametrical extent ofthe particular bulk material receiver mechanism being employed inconjunction with the discharge or unloading of the bulk material fromthe bulk container liner 10. It is also to be noted that in conjunctionwith the pull-through of the flap member 120 through the axially centralopen region 110, the flap member 120 can be secured to the rear surfacewall portion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 by removable stitchingwhereby the flap member 120 can actually be detached from the rearsurface wall portion 22 of the bulk container liner 10 and then removedfrom the bulk container liner assembly in lieu of remaining attachedthereto along the linear locus 122.

[0038] Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles andteachings of the present invention, there has been provided a new andimproved bulk container liner assembly or structure wherein a wovenreinforcement sheet is structurally secured to the rear wall surfaceportion of the bulk container liner so as to effectively define abulkhead structure which provides enhanced strength and reinforcementthereto within such rear surface wall portion thereof which faces andoperatively cooperates with the rear door region of the bulk container.In addition, structure is integrally incorporated within the bulkcontainer liner for facilitating the inflation, erection, and support ofthe bulk container liner in order to in turn facilitate the properloading and filling of the same with bulk material cargo, as well as forfixedly securing the bulk container liner within the bulk container,particularly during bulk material cargo unloading operations.

[0039] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is noted, forexample, that the elevational level, at which the first tubular sleevemember 32 is affixed upon the exterior surface of the reinforcedbulkhead structure 38, as well as the corresponding elevational level atwhich the loading port or sleeve member 24 is located, can be varieddepending upon the height or depth to which the bulk material cargo isto be loaded into the bulk container liner 10. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the presentinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent ofthe U.S. of America, is:
 1. A bulk container liner for use within a bulkmaterial cargo container having rear door structures, comprising: a bulkcontainer having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structurewhen erected for disposition within a bulk material cargo container andtherefore comprising a front wall surface, a pair of side wall surfaces,a top wall surface, a bottom wall surface, and a rear wall surface; andreinforcement structure fixedly secured over substantially the entireexpanse of said rear wall surface of said bulk container liner so as tointegrally form with said rear wall surface of said bulk container linera bulkhead structure for reinforcing said rear wall surface of said bulkcontainer liner disposed opposite the rear door structures of the bulkmaterial cargo container.
 2. The bulk container liner as set forth inclaim 1, wherein: said reinforcement structure comprises a wovenreinforcement sheet bonded to said rear wall surface of said bulkcontainer liner.
 3. The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 2,wherein: said woven reinforcement sheet comprises woven polypropylene.4. The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said wovenreinforcement sheet comprises woven polyethylene.
 5. The bulk containerliner as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said woven reinforcement sheetextends beyond each one of edge regions defined between said rear wallsurface and said pair of side wall surfaces, between said rear wallsurface and said top wall surface, and between said rear wall surfaceand said bottom wall surface so as to reinforce seal regions definedbetween said rear wall surface and said pair of side wall surfaces,between said rear wall surface and said top wall surface, and betweensaid rear wall surface and said bottom wall surface.
 6. The bulkcontainer liner as set forth in claim 2, wherein: at least one tubularsleeve member fixedly secured upon said bulkhead structure foraccommodating a structural member of the bulk container in order tofixedly secure said bulk container liner within the bulk container whenthe structural member of the bulk container is fixedly disposed withinsaid at least one tubular sleeve member of said bulk container liner. 7.The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at leastone tubular sleeve member of said bulk container comprises: a firsttubular sleeve member fixedly secured upon said bulkhead structure ofsaid bulk container liner at an elevational level which is interposedbetween an upper edge region defined between said rear wall surface andsaid top wall surface, and a lower edge region defined between said rearwall surface and said bottom wall surface; and a second tubular sleevemember fixedly secured upon said bulk head structure within the vicinityof said lower edge region defined between said rear wall surface andsaid bottom wall surface.
 8. The bulk container liner as set forth inclaim 7, further comprising: a third tubular sleeve member fixedlysecured upon said lower wall surface of said bulk container liner withinthe vicinity of a lower edge region defined between said front wallsurface and said bottom wall surface.
 9. The bulk container liner as setforth in claim 8, further comprising: a woven reinforcement sheet,bonded to said lower wall surface of said bulk container liner and uponwhich said third tubular sleeve member is attached, for reinforcing afront region of said bulk container liner and for distributing stressforces impressed upon said bulk container liner during bulk materialcargo unloading operations.
 10. The bulk container liner as set forth inclaim 1, wherein: said bulk container liner having said substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped has a predetermined longitudinal extent; andsupport structure is fixedly secured to upper regions of said bulkcontainer liner within the vicinity of said rear wall surface of saidbulk container liner, within the vicinity of said front wall surface ofsaid bulk container liner, and at longitudinally central regions of saidbulk container liner so as to facilitate the erection and support ofsaid bulk container liner within the bulk material cargo container so asto enable filling of said bulk container liner with bulk material cargo.11. The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 10, wherein: saidsupport structure fixedly secured to said upper regions of said bulkcontainer is selected from the group comprising ropes, straps, andcables.
 12. The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 10, furthercomprising: a reinforcement strip fixedly secured to said bulk containerliner at the edge portion defined between said front wall surface andsaid top wall surface of said bulk container liner for sealing said edgeportion defined between said front wall surface and said top wallsurface of said bulk container liner.
 13. The bulk container liner asset forth in claim 12, wherein: said reinforcement strip comprisesintegrally connected side extensions for sealing upper rear edgeportions of said bulk container liner as defined between each one ofsaid side wall surfaces rear end portions of said top wall surface. 14.The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 13, wherein: each one ofsaid side extensions of said reinforcement strip is provided with aplurality of arrayed grommets to which said support structure for saidfront wall surface of said bulk container liner can be adjustablyconnected depending upon the structure of the particular bulk containerwithin which said bulk container liner is to be disposed.
 15. The bulkcontainer liner as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: a view portdefined through said woven reinforcement sheet for viewing the depth towhich bulk material cargo has been loaded into said bulk material liner.16. The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising: a bulk material tubular loading port operatively connectedto said rear wall surface of said bulk container liner; a bulk materialtubular unloading port operatively connected to said rear wall surfaceof said bulk container liner; and reinforcement sleeves respectivelysecured around each one of said bulk material tubular loading andunloading ports in an enveloped manner for respectively reinforcing eachone of said bulk material tubular loading and unloading ports.
 17. Thebulk container liner as set forth in claim 16, wherein: each one of saidbulk material tubular loading and unloading ports is axially collapsibleand extensible; and a manually-operable member is operatively secured toan interior surface portion of said each one of said bulk materialtubular loading and unloading ports so as to permit an operator to movesaid each one of said bulk material tubular loading and unloading portsfrom its axially collapsed position to its axially extended position.18. The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 2, furthercomprising: an axially collapsible and extensible bulk material tubularunloading port; and means operatively associated with said bulk materialtubular unloading port for adjusting the diametrical extent of said bulkmaterial tubular unloading port such that said bulk material tubularunloading port can be universally useable with different bulk materialreceiver structures.
 19. The bulk container liner as set forth in claim18, wherein said means for adjusting said diametrical extent of saidbulk material tubular unloading port comprises: loop regions definedwithin said woven reinforcement sheet and defining an axial open regionthrough which said bulk material tubular unloading port can be disposedwhen said bulk material tubular unloading port is disposed in itsaxially extended state whereby said loop regions surround said extendedbulk material tubular unloading port; means disposed within said loopregions for achieving variable diametrical constriction and expansion ofsaid loop regions around said bulk material tubular unloading port. 20.The bulk container liner as set forth in claim 19, wherein: a region ofsaid woven reinforcement sheet surrounding said bulk material tubularunloading port comprises a plurality of flap members; and said loopregions comprise portions of said flap members folded back upon andsecured to themselves.
 21. The bulk container liner as set forth inclaim 19, wherein: said means disposed within said loop regions forconstricting and expanding said loop regions comprises a member selectedfrom the group comprising ropes, straps, and cables.
 22. The bulkcontainer liner as set forth in claim 19, further comprising: areinforcement flap member fixedly attached to said rear wall surface ofsaid bulk container liner and interposed between said rear wall surfaceof said bulk container liner and said woven reinforcement sheet forclosing said axial open region when said bulk material tubular unloadingport is disposed in its axially collapsed state.
 23. A bulk containerliner for use within a bulk material cargo container having rear doorstructures, comprising: a bulk container having a substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped structure when erected for disposition withina bulk material cargo container and therefore comprising a front wallsurface, a pair of side wall surfaces, a top wall surface, a bottom wallsurface, and a rear wall surface; an axially collapsible and extensiblebulk material tubular unloading port operatively connected to said rearwall surface of said bulk container liner; and means operativelyassociated with said bulk material tubular unloading port for adjustingthe diametrical extent of said bulk material tubular unloading port suchthat said bulk material tubular unloading port can be universallyuseable with different bulk material receiver structures.
 24. The bulkcontainer liner as set forth in claim 23, further comprising: a wovenreinforcement sheet bonded to said rear wall surface of said bulkcontainer liner so as to integrally form with said rear wall surface ofsaid bulk container liner a bulkhead structure for reinforcing said rearwall surface of said bulk container liner disposed opposite the reardoor structures of the bulk material cargo container.
 25. The bulkcontainer liner as set forth in claim 24, wherein said means foradjusting said diametrical extent of said bulk material tubularunloading port comprises: loop regions defined within said wovenreinforcement sheet and defining an axial open region through which saidbulk material tubular unloading port can be disposed when said bulkmaterial tubular unloading port is disposed in its axially extendedstate whereby said loop regions surround said extended bulk materialtubular unloading port; and means disposed within said loop regions forachieving variable diametrical constriction and expansion of said loopregions around said bulk material tubular unloading port.
 26. The bulkcontainer liner as set forth in claim 25, wherein: a region of saidwoven reinforcement sheet surrounding said bulk material tubularunloading port comprises a plurality of flap members; and said loopregions comprise portions of said flap members folded back upon andsecured to themselves.
 27. The bulk container liner as set forth inclaim 25, wherein: said means disposed within said loop regions forconstricting and expanding said loop regions comprises a member selectedfrom the group comprising ropes, straps, and cables.
 28. The bulkcontainer liner as set forth in claim 25, further comprising: areinforcement flap member fixedly attached to said rear wall surface ofsaid bulk container liner and interposed between said rear wall surfaceof said bulk container liner and said woven reinforcement sheet forclosing said axial open region when said bulk material tubular unloadingport is disposed in its axially collapsed state.
 29. The bulk containerliner as set forth in claim 23, further comprising: a manually-operablemember is operatively secured to an interior surface portion of saidbulk material tubular unloading port so as to permit an operator to movesaid bulk material tubular unloading port from its axially collapsedposition to its axially extended position.
 30. The bulk container lineras set forth in claim 23, wherein: a reinforcement sleeve is securedaround said bulk material tubular unloading port in an enveloped mannerfor respectively reinforcing said bulk material tubular unloading port.